Tool 10: Ask the Top 12 Questions for Success
Purpose: To offer a useful sequence of questions for individuals and teams so that they may think more comprehensively before making a change or embarking on a new direction.
Discussion: When Ben is caught in traffic and distressed about his upcoming meetings with Alexa and Charles, he calls Joseph, who gives him three of the Top 12 Questions for Success. Those three questions help to launch Ben into the series of breakthroughs that lead to his being able to apply Question Thinking for greater success and satisfaction in his job and in his relationship with his wife Grace.
The questions on the Top 12 List evolved out of my work with coaching clients, teams, and workshop participants over many years. The list can be used in at least three ways:
1. It is a logical sequence of questions to help you think through any situation you might want to change or improve.
2. You might just want to scan the list for questions you’re missing.
3. You can turn to it when you’re looking for just the right question to emphasize in a particular situation.
The goal is to integrate these questions into your everyday thinking. Then, when a challenge arises, you’ll be able to easily recall some of them. Not every question applies to every situation. That’s why you’ll want to develop a collection of your favorites and work with them on a regular basis. These questions can open and change your mind. This sequence of questions allows you to unveil new choices, options, and possibilities you might otherwise have missed.
Practice: Think of a situation in which you are stuck, frustrated, or want something to change. Within that situation, you can ask the questions on the following list from several perspectives. Ask them of yourself—What do I want? Ask them of other people—What do you want? Or ask them of those with whom you have an ongoing relationship—What do we want? Here’s the list:
1. What do I want?
2. What assumptions am I making?
3. What am I responsible for?
4. How else can I think about this?
5. What is the other person thinking, feeling, and wanting?
6. What am I missing or avoiding?
7. What can I learn . . .
—from this person or situation?
—from this mistake or failure?
—from this success?
8. What questions should I ask (myself and/or others?)
9. How can I turn this situation into a win-win one?
10. What’s possible?
11. What are my choices?
12. What action steps make the most sense?
Keep this list in a handy place where you can refer to it often. If you ask these questions frequently enough, they’ll become a natural part of your thinking. They’ll help you to create more satisfying and successful results in your life every day!